I dread summer time. The swim suits, halter tops, and shorts in my closet always mock me as I struggle to work off the extra pounds gained due to excessively snacking on Christmas cookies. While getting fit in time for summer may seem like a daunting task, it can be made simple. Here are a few simple tips to get off the couch and into your summer clothes.
1. Join a workout group.
Get a group of friends together- people who have similar goals as you- and form a workout group. Take classes together, push each other, and see the results as a team. It’s a lot harder to skip out on the gym when you’re held accountable by friends.
2. Eat healthy, not boring.
There are lots of healthy foods that are delicious as well as nutritious. Simple substitutions such as whole wheat pasta in place of white pasta or pita bread and hummus instead of chips and dip can make all the difference in the world. Be sure to fill your diet with fruits and vegetables as well.
3. Drink more water.
Yeah, I know you’re groaning because everyone and their mother has been saying this for years, but it makes all the difference in the world. Drinking plenty of water (eight cups a day is the recommended amount) does everything from speeding up your metabolism to improving organ function. You’ll feel amazing after just a few days of loading up on H2O.
4. Cut cravings with hot tea.
When it’s 8 p.m. and you really want a late night snack or a dessert, make a pot of tea instead. A little honey in some tea will give you the sweetness you desire while not racking up your calorie count for the day. Tea has excellent health benefits as well. From the life-changing anti-oxidants in green tea to the stress relieving properties in black tea, it’s the perfect substitute to curb your cravings and keep you moving toward your goal.
5. Do. Not. Diet.
Don’t go on a strict fad diet. This will leave you feeling hungry and deprived which usually ends in you breaking it within the first month. If you want to reach your weight loss goals, then remember that everything is fine in moderation. A couple slices of pizza with friends on a Friday night after a cycle class at the gym will not set you back. Keep active and make sure that you’re eating enough healthy food to offset the junk and you’ll reach your goal in no time without having to give anything up.
6. Find inspiration.
Find an outfit that doesn’t fit anymore and make it your goal to get back into it. When you do, you’ll feel so elated that you’ll never want to sink back into your couch potato ways again.
7. Remember to not make numbers your goal.
Never ever, ever make a specific weight your goal. Some weeks you may lose six pounds, some weeks you may lose one. This really is no indication of anything. Lots of things can throw a scale off, from water weight to salt intake. Focus on the results that you can see and feel -- for example, if your jeans fit better, that shirt you grew out of fits again, or your body looks more toned. Results show themselves in many ways other than numbers on a scale.
Make being healthy a lifestyle choice and not an obligation.
